Using the death penalty to silence dissenting voices

Yang Hengjun’s suspended death sentence in China

The suspended death sentence handed to Yang Hengjun in China this month shocked and appalled many, including Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and us here at CPJP. However, this decision serves as a sobering reminder that, while it still exists, the death penalty can be used to silence people who speak out against those in power.

This week, a statement from Yang’s family and friends announced that he would not appeal his sentence. In this statement, they were unequivocal about his persecution:

“There can be no doubt that Yang Hengjun has been convicted for his speeches and publications. Over the past two decades Yang has written and published hundreds of online articles explaining and advocating for the kinds of universal values – human rights, democracy, the rule of law – that Australians at home might sometimes take for granted.”

You can read the full statement on our website.

Ongoing executions in Iran

Iran Human Rights Monitor reported that 88 people were hanged in Iran in January, including seven political prisoners. This is in the context of attempts by authorities to quell the protests that commenced in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody.

“Executions, a longstanding and favored tool of the Islamic Republic to suppress dissent, have surged since nationwide anti-state protests erupted in September 2022.”

Hadi Ghaemi, Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran

Despite the ever-present threat, Iranian civil society groups continue to condemn the death penalty, while prisoners, including human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, held hunger strikes to protest the growing number of executions.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for the government of Iran to enact an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty and, ultimately, to abolish it entirely.

A glimmer of hope via constitutional challenge?

Our partner, Eleos Justice at Monash University recently released a new report Abolishing the Death Penalty Through Constitutional Challenge.

Examining the experience of eight countries that have abolished the death penalty by constitutional challenge, the report provides an overview of the legal arguments that justified the courts’ decisions to declare the death penalty unconstitutional, while also analysing the non-legal factors that appear to have informed the courts’ decisions. This includes an exploration of abolition as part of several States’ transitions from communism to democracy.

In April, the Constitutional Court in Taiwan will consider whether the death penalty is constitutional by ruling on a petition filed by 37 people on death row. A verdict that the death penalty is unconstitutional would assist Taiwan to distance itself from China on a significant human rights issue and reassert its rejection of authoritarianism.

Upcoming events and activities

Uncensored: Wicked Women

Join Respect.Now.Always. and UTS Law for an in-person talk where morality meets sexism and oppression, exploring themes of feminine violence, anger and autonomy and highlighting key social justice issues, such as female incarceration and the death penalty. The panel includes CPJP’s Vice President, Sara Kowal.

When: Thursday 7 March, 6-8pm

Where: UTS Central, Ultimo, SYDNEY

Tickets are free via Humanitix here.

Brisbane Marathon Festival 2024

CPJP supporter, Elke, will be running a half-marathon at the Brisbane Marathon on Sunday 2 June, raising funds for CPJP. Show Elke (and CPJP!) your support by donating here.

Or, if you want to achieve your own marathon goal while supporting a good cause, sign up to raise funds to help CPJP work towards a future without the death penalty.

CPJP relies on our wonderful donors to help us continue our life-saving work. You can visit our website to make a tax-deductible donation.

Alternatively, you can proudly display your support for CPJP with a t-shirt or tote bag featuring the artwork of Myuran Sukumaran. We are grateful to Myuran’s family, the Campbelltown Arts Centre, and our friends at Das T-Shirt Automat for this partnership.